The Apple iPhone uses a standard, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It is critical that you take care of the battery in the best way possible because the battery isn’t removable. Since an expert would have to replace the battery for you, it will likely cost at least $100+ to have it replaced.

If you take care of the battery of the iPhone, you will really be able to extend its life. The type of battery that’s in the model can easily be used for a few years with the proper care and precautions. This doesn’t mean that the battery will last forever, it just means that it will last for a lot longer.

You must avoid heat like the plague if you want this type of battery to last. Heat destroys the ability of lithium-ion batteries to store energy due to intense ionization. Make sure that your phone isn’t left out in the sun. A few hours in direct sunlight will cause the battery to get excessively hot. Even one afternoon in the sun could severely damage the life of your iPhone’s battery. Leaving the iPhone in your car will get the phone even hotter.

You must also make sure to never charge the iPhone with an after market charger. Not only will this void your iPhone’s warranty, it will also likely damage your battery. Lithium-ion batteries are designed to be charged at an exact charge rate and voltage. Many after market chargers won’t have the voltage quite right which can result in long-term degradation of your battery.

Don’t charge your iPhone in your vehicle. Vehicle chargers are made to charge the battery more quickly, and this isn’t good for your battery. Even the Apple brand vehicle charger isn’t as good for your battery as a wall charger would be. If you get into a pinch, it probably won’t kill you to charge the iPhone once or twice on the way to work. Make it a habit, and you’ll wish you hadn’t.

An off-brand vehicle charger is a certain recipe for disaster. Not only will the voltage be off, it will charge the battery at the wrong charge rate. This is by far the easiest way to render your battery worthless in a short period of time. If that’s your goal, make sure to buy an off-brand vehicle charger right away!

If you do need to have your iPhone battery replaced, make sure to contact Apple to find an authorized repair station. If anyone that isn’t authorized opens up your iPhone, your warranty will be voided. An authorized repairman can replace your battery in about 20 minutes and you will be able to have the model under continued warranty.